Medical vehicles in Malta : a policy making review

Abstract

Since Malta joined the European Union in May 2004, a lot of regulations have been applied, including the modification of registration tax of vehicles. This prompted that several medical vehicles, i.e. ambulances have been imported locally. This was done not only by the voluntary organisations but also by several private companies that have been set up. Although it is a positive factor for competition between private companies that provide ambulance service in our market, their services is related with dealing with human beings that got injured. In other European states, several regulations exist including the classification of types of ambulances. From this study, it was found out that such classification does not exist in Malta. The reply from Transport Malta was that all ambulances are the same. Through different interviews that were held, it was found out that ambulances differ from each other. These include from simple patient transport from one location to another to treating a casualty before arriving at the Accident and Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital. Hence this implies that classification should be done to put into practice such review. Moreover when large events are held in Malta, a police permit is necessary which includes the need of medical care. As till now no regulation/policy exist, such condition in the permit issued is vague. Concluding, when all the interest actors from government, private and non Governmental Organisations are included in the talks, a policy can be done, thus casualties will benefit with a better service from all involved.